He hesitates. “If we can make it tomorrow, I’ll be able to bring something with me that might help.”
“What?” I demand.
“I can’t say now. But we’ll see you tomorrow?”
We hash out the details before I hang up the phone and stare at the screen, half-baked ideas flickering through my head.
We can’t fight this on our own. But the Winter pack have their own contacts. It hasn’t escaped my attention that they escaped the consequences of going into a full-blown alpha rut at a government event with hardly a slap on the wrist. None of us could expect the same treatment.
But if we worked together… maybe there’s a way that we can get Ava out of this safely. Without losing her to the bastards at the compound and her own fucking father.
ChapterFifty-One
Ava
Warm lips press against my neck, soft kisses dropping down my chest, over my breasts, and down to my belly. My breath hitches, lips curving up in a smile as Max gently presses his mouth to my growing stomach.
“Hello,” he murmurs.
Lifting my hand, I run my fingers through his russet hair. He glances up at me and smiles, his brown eyes soft on mine. “I’m sorry,” he begins again, and I hold up my hand.
“It’s done,” I say softly. “I trust you, Max.”
I trust you not to break my heart again.
He drops his forehead down to my stomach. “How are you feeling?” he asks. “Any tiredness?”
“If I am, it’s because I’ve been thoroughly fucked by you.”
His eyes widen, a flush rising on his cheeks at my brash words. “Luc was right. You have got a dirty mouth.”
My grin stretches across my face. “You haven’t seen anything yet,” I warn him lightly, and he traces his fingers across my ribs, tickling my skin and making me yelp.
“I meant, how are you feeling about the pregnancy?” He refuses to budge as I breathe heavily.
We both look down at my rapidly expanding stomach, and I rub my hands across it gently. “I think I’m starting to feel… a little excited,” I admit.
Max nods, his eyes still on my skin. “Me too. I… I always wanted to be a dad. And I’ve had a small part of that with Nash, but this… I want to experience all of this, with you.”
My eyes burn, moisture building up and blurring Max’s face. “I’d like that.”
My stomach flutters and Max jumps as my bump ripples, a small lump appearing before it disappears again. I laugh at the amazement on his face.
“Look at that,” he breathes. “You think they like my voice?” My heart flips at his crooked grin.
“How could they not?”
He leans down to kiss me, his smile curving against my lips. Pulling me into his arms, we lie quietly for a few minutes, not willing to interrupt the moment with the drama outside our door.
“We need to find out what’s happening,” he says reluctantly, tracing patterns on my arm. “Even though I want to keep you here, with me.”
My throat closes. “I know,” I whisper. “Just a few more minutes.”
His arms tighten around me.
We finally emerge an hour later, and find Luc, Bastien, Nik, Nash and Leah squeezed onto chairs and couches in the living room, animatedly debating movie choices. Everyone stops as I step through the doorway. Luc’s eyes drop to Max’s hand wrapped around mine, and he smiles.
“Come here, baby.” He opens his arms and I willingly climb into them as he presses a kiss to my hair. “They’re coming tomorrow,” he murmurs. “So just try to relax for today, okay?”
